By René Wadlow

As the 2025 United Nations (UN) General Assembly continues, there is a need for a greater input of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs). There are some 6,400 NGOs in consultative status with the UN. Many, however, have consultative status with the UN only to strengthen their standing at the national level. The number of NGOs which engage actively in the UN procedures is much smaller. Some deal with specific UN Specialized Agencies such as UNESCO, the ILO, and the FAO.

Others, such as the Association of World Citizens (AWC), are active on a wider range of issues, especially those with representatives active at the UN in New York and Geneva. It is among this smaller number of NGOs that active measures for cooperation need to be undertaken.

A leading role of the UN since its establishment has been to lay the foundations for a culture of peace with respect for human rights, and economic and social development. There needs to be innovation, responses to new challenges, and a role for intellectual leadership to give a sense of direction. There should be forged from the varied, often contradictory views of governments, a sense of common purpose.

NGOs can help to provide a sense of direction and ways for the pursuit of common interests. The UN must look outward and work with renewed vigor. This is also true for NGOs. Cooperation among NGOs has been growing. Now, faced with strong challenges in the world society, efforts for NGO cooperation are a vital need.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.